New Jersey's 10th Legislative District

Senator Jim Holzapfel

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Assemblyman Jim Holzapfel of the 10th Legislative District has introduced legislation in an effort to save the Barnegat Bay. The bill known as the “Save Barnegat Bay Act” would establish the “Save Barnegat Bay Fund” to support and help protect, preserve and remediate the Barnegat Bay estuary and its watershed.

The Save Barnegat Bay Fund is a special non-lapsing fund in the Department of Treasury which would be supported through four separate monetary collections. Donations would come from a portion of the sales tax on lawn fertilizer, the creation of the Save Barnegat Bay license plate, donations from the renewal of a boating license and $1 from each beach badge fee collected anywhere in the State will be donated to the fund.

“The Barnegat Bay is enjoyed by many residents within our district and all over New Jersey,” said Holzapfel. “We have established this fund so everyone across the State can feel as if they have lent a hand in protecting the bay. Even a small amount, such as $1 from each beach badge sale will be put towards a public education campaign on cleaning up the Barnegat Bay.”

The State Treasurer and the Commissioner of Environmental Protection will ensure that money collected for the Save the Barnegat Bay Fund is distributed exclusively for the purposes of the preservation and remediation of the Barnegat Bay estuary watershed. This money will be put towards cleaning up the bay as well as public education campaign on keeping the bay clean.

“This bill is established so residents have many ways to contribute to the fund whether they live close to the bay or not. Boaters might choose to donate at the time of their license renewal or New Jersey residents may decide to purchase a special Save the Barnegat Bay license plate for their vehicles,” continued Holzapfel. “The pollution in the bay is detrimental to our state’s economic, aesthetic and recreational value. We must preserve the bay to keep it clean for future generations to enjoy.”

Assemblyman Dave Wolfe of the 10th District is a co-sponsor of this legislation.